TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area Hebrew teacher is fighting on the front lines in the Israel-Hamas war.

Jesse Davidson, 28, left Tampa in October when the war first started. 

“I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be,” Davidson said.

As a reservist with the Israel Defense Forces, the first sergeant didn’t think twice when he was called to fight. Because he lives out of the country, Davidson wasn’t required to go, but he wanted to be there. 

“For me, this is my way of helping,” Davidson said. “So I didn’t have to, but a very important part of me, my soul said of course I have to.”

Often, Davidson posts uplifting messages and images on Facebook to give his friends and family a glimpse of what life is like and how he’s doing. 

“Here, everything changes rapidly,” he said. “We’re on standby a lot. You’re waiting for full gear in case something happens in your region in your territory."

Davidson said since he’s been in Israel, there’s been many sleepless nights. Not a single night has been calm. But Davidson said he looks at the sky and thinks of the bigger picture.

“We’re fighting so our children won’t have to,” he said.

In Tampa, his students at the Hebrew Academy of Tampa created cards to support him.

(Photo courtesy: Jesse Davidson/Facebook)

“They love Mr. Jesse and miss him dearly,” said Davidson’s former teacher, Chanie Yarmush. “I feel that the children take strength that he’s there.”

But don’t call him a hero.

“I see myself as a simple man, just trying to figure out my place in this story,” Davidson said. “I don’t want to be a spokesperson. I don’t want to be in the spotlight. It drives me crazy when people say I’m a hero for doing this because for me I see every other Israeli who answered the call and for me, they’re my heroes.”

It hasn’t been easy. Davidson has lost friends in the war. Sometimes when he’s sad, he’ll look at his own videos and think of the students or family in Tampa. 

But he believes something has to come from war. That’s why he’s there.